Debarking machine



April 26, 1932.

A. M. KIRKWOO'D DEBARKING MACHINE Filed May 2, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet l` lum April 25, 1,932- A. M. klRKwooD 1,855,577

DEBARKING MACHINE Filed A-May 2, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 illlll Il April 26, 1932- A. M. KlRKwooD 1,855,577

DEBARKING MACHINE Filed May 2, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 26, 1932.

A. M.. KIRKWOOD DEBARKING MACHINE Filed May 2, 1929 www @mmf 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 I Wh!!! April 26; 1932. A. M. KlRKwooD 1,855,577

DEBARKING MACHINE Filed May 2, 1929 6 sheets-sheet v5 April 26, 1932- A.. M. KIRKwooD 1,855,577.

' ADEBARKNG MACHINE Filed May 2. 1929 -6 sheets-sheet 6 64e v. v I I Patented Apr. 26, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR M. xIBxWOOD, or PORTLAND, OnnGON, AssIoNOn, BY :am m Al- SIGN-MENTS, -cro Loc DEBARKINO AND sIzING CORPORATION Dumme mom:

Appnmon med nay a, waa. serial No. 359,333.

My invention relates to deba-rkin machines used in the manufacture of lum er, paper pul and the like.

leretofore, in log debarking machines the logs whichare to have'their bark removed have been brought up to the machine on conveyer chains or the like and held in contact with the debarking means onl movable carriages or similar elaborate machinery, all of which is expensive, as to initial cost, upkeep and operation.

The object of my invention is to provide a l logdebarking machine adapted to be located A port and adjustable to variable angleswith auf log may be economically on a float or adjacent to a bodyof water, and to provide in combination with the debarking means, means forgrasping and holding a log, while inthe water, in contact with the debarking means of the machine. The advantages of such arrangement are: The log may thus be conveniently and .economically conveyed to the machine by oating on, the surface of the water, as in a mill pond and, due to its relatively lighter wei ht while in the wateris more easily handledg; and finally the disposed of after it has been operatedon, y merelyiloating it away.

In this connection it may be said that the most economical and favored transportation, and storage of logs is by Water, and thus by providin a machine adapted to ,debark a log without t e necessity of removing it from the storage pond, a considerable saving intime and machinery is effected.

A` further object of my invention is to pro-A vide simple, but eifectiv'emeans for 'graspin and holding the log while in means further adapted to rotate the log so that the debarking means may operate on the entire circumference Of the log; andthe ortionof the machine carryingthedebar g means so arranged thattheiisam may moved longitudinally along the 1og, to apply the dlbarking means theretofiilong its entire lengt I attain the-se objects in a log debarking mabe chine comprising a floatable support, spaced inclined log carrying arms hinged.` on said supthe horizontal, power means for effecting Said ing machine adapted for being` the water, suc

vther modification4 of adjustment, a driven, traveling Way provided on said arms, respectively, comprising trans'- verse journaled shafts, sprockets, a motor and a driving connection therefrom to said sprockets, and an abutment on said way for holding said log in position on said way, whereby the travel of the way causes the log to revolve against the said abutment, the latter beino' adapted to move with and thus'falk axis, and curved to conform to the cylindrical face of the cutter head, so that the cutting edge of the knife will only bein contact with the log, at the point of contact of the circumferences of the cutter h ead by diagonal shearingI or draw-cut is accomplished which will cut the bark oil' c leanl 'and remove and throw the. bark backwar s and in that way clearing the knives of the cutter head.

` The -above desciibed and other incidental features of my invention, the details of construction, and the mode o f operation are heref mafter described4 with reference to the accompanying drawings. the drawin Fig. l-shows a side elevation mounted on a oatand illustrates a log hel in position in contact with the debarking machine;

' Fig. 2shows a front elevation of the same; Figs. 3 and 4 show details of the log carrying' means removed from the machine;

` Figs. 5 and 6 shows details of the rotary cutter head and depth guide therefor;

Fig..7 shows in a side elevation a modification of my debarking machine as adapted to arranged over a flume or the like; I

8 shows a front view of the same; Fig. 9 shows in a fragmentary viewa furthe log carrying means of my invention;

of my debarkand the log, where- Fig. 10 shows a section taken on the line 10-'-10 of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 11 shows a section taken on the line 11--11 of Fig. 9.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, l: have shown one embodiment of my debarkingI machine adapted to be mounted on a raft or ioat a by which the log carrying means are carried and to hold and rotate the log in the water close to .and parallel with one edge of the float, so that a carriage b carrying the debarking .means and hereinafter described, may be adapted to operate on the log.

The log carrying means comprise two or more arms or cradles 2` see Figs. 3 and 4, pivoted on stub shafts 3 which are journaled in brackets 4 secured to the underside of the oat and beneath the surface of the water.

The stub shafts 3 are provided with sprockets 5 connected by chains 6 with correspondingly spaced sprockets 5a carried by a vdriven shaft 7 arranged parallel to the edge of the raft. A driving gear 8 is carried by the said shaft 7 and connected by a chain 9 with a prime mover' 10, preferably an electric motor, conveniently arranged on the raft. Another sprocket 11 is mounted fast on the stub shafts 3 and connected by a chain 12 with a sprocket 14 which is fast on a shaft 15 journaled in the said arm and projecting through a longitudmal slot 2a in the arm 2.

A sprocket 16 is mounted fast on the said shaft in the slot 2a and a log rolling chain or movable way 17 is mounted over the sprocket 16 and over a sprocket 20 journaled on a shaft in the outer'bifurcated end 2b of the arm 2.

Upwardly projecting members 21 are secured to the outer sidesY of the arms 2 adjacent each'side of the slot 2a; in which is journaled an idling roller 23, arranged between the said members, a portion of the circumference of which is inclo'sed by the slot 2a. The upper end of the members 21 -is connected by a flexi ble cable 24 passed over an idling roller 25 on the raft and connected to suitable Huid operated jacks 26.

The carriage b by which the debarking means are carried, is mounted adjacent the edge of the ioat a and adapted to overhang the log carrying means and is movable longitudinally of the log held by the latter, being mounted on wheels c. riding on tracks-d and driven bya. motor b. through gears e and a chain and sprocket f.

The carriage b comprises two spaced parallel frame members b2 overhanging the water and transverse of the log carrying means on the upper cross pieces b3 of which a pendent A-frame k is supported, by means of short racks 30 meshing with pinions 31 carried on' a transverse shaft 32 journaled on the said upper cross members. The shaft 32 is rotatable by means of a sprocket wheel 33 on one end, which-is connected by a chain 34 with a sprocket 35 fast on the shaft of a crank lever 36. By these meansthe frame lo is adjustable vertically. A dog 37 bearing in the teeth of the sprocket 35 holds the frame from independent downward movement and a guide member 38 carried by the upper end of the frame k. holds it from displacement from the pinions 31.

On the lower end of the frame 7c is journaled a transverse shaft 1, see Figs. 5 and 6, carrying a rotary cutter head p, provided with a number of equally spaced, circumferentially disposed knives e curved to conform with the circumference of the cutter head and arranged atan oblique angle with its axis of rotation. A gauge wheel q and a driven pulley 7' are also mounted on the shaft l, the latter connected by a belt s with an electric motor t which is supported on a transverse member k of the frame c. The guage wheel g is mounted on the shaft Z over an eccentrlc sleeve u which is provided with a sprocket v concentric with the axis of the shaft Z and connected by a chain w with a sprocket 40 carried on a shaft 40a journaled on the frame k. The

sprocket 40 is connected by a-rod 32 pivoted eccentrically to its outer side to a lever 32a adjacent the operators platform 18.

By this construction, the movement of the lever 32a rotates the sleeve u which being eccentric movesthe roller g relatively to the cutter head p and acts as an adjustable guide to control the depth of the cut of the cutter head p.

A lever 41 fulcrumed on the platform 18 is connected by a rod 42 to the frame k and is provided for swinging the said frame through its arc to bring the rotary cutter head into and out of contact with thelog.

The operation of'my machine is as follows: A log y is floated up to the raft and positioned so as to be over the arms 24 which are then elevated by means of the cables 24 and the jacks 26 to lift the log slightly so as to be supported on the arms 2, though still in the water. In this position the arms 2 will slope somewhat inwardly so that the' log will rest against the idling rollers 23, and the log rolling chains 17 being driven by the motor l() through the shaft 7 and chains 6, 9 and 12 rotate the log in an anti-clockwise direction.

Simultaneously the carriage b is positioned on the float a at one end of the log and the frame c is swung by the lever 41 until the cutter head p is in contact with the log, the roller g being operated by the operator from the platform 18 to adjust the depth of cut of the cutter head to the thickness and character of the bark. Thus, as the 10g is rotated the cutter head p will cut close spirals of bark.

from the log as the carriage b is moved longitudinally of the former. i

Todischarge the log when it is completely debarked the arms 2 only need to be lowered and the log oated away.

oted on an elongated .on the depth guiding roller.

fi n log carrying means are slightly comprise arms or cradles 8() pivotally mount- Referring now to Fi s. 7 and 8, I have shown a modification o? my debarking machine in that the carriage is adapted to be mounted over and supported on each sideof a flume, canal or the like, and the lo holdlng means are carried by the side of t e said flume. A

In this modification the log is carried up to the debarking machine by the current of the flume and the log carrying means are operated to grasp and hold the log while it is being debarked. After the log has been operated on, it is released from the log carr ing means and permitted to fioat on down t e fiume, to the storage pond or the like. An advantage of this embodiment of my invention is that the refuse bark may also be carried away by the flume.

The log holding means in this modification my invention are similar to those previously described and comprise arms ivshaft 50ajournale in brackets 51 carried by the side wall 52 of th flume and rotated bymeans of a sprocket 506 and a chain 50p, arranged over a driven sprocket 53 journaled as at 52a and connected with a motor 54 by a sprocket 55 and a chain 56. The shaft 50a is provided with sprockets 57 adjacent each arm 50 over which the driving chain 57a of the arm 50 by which the log rolling chains or movable ways 58 are driven.

A clutching mechanism 59 is provided on the shaft 50a operated b a lever 60 pivoted at 60a to the side of the ume and bent at its upper end to be in convenient reach of the operatorcf the jacks 61 by which the arms 50 are lifted.

The carriage 70 is adapted to be mounted on each side of the fiume for longitudinal movement thereof, on tracks 61a and the A-frame 62 is pivotally suspended from its upper cross pieces as at 62a.

The rotary cutter head 63, depth guiding roller 64 and driving pulley 65 are mounted on a transverse shaft 66 journaled in the lower end of the frame, so as to hang normally in contact with the log.

A belt a connects the driving pulley 65 with an electric motor 656 carried on the upper portion of the frame 62. A lever 67 is pivoted on the operators platform 626 and connected by a link 67a with the sprocket 68 by which the depth guiding roller 64 is operated by a chain 64a, engaging asprocket 646 A lever 69 is also similarly provided connected by. a link 69a with the frame 62, for swinging -the frame into and out of contact with the log.

Referring now' to Figs. 9, 10

modified and ed on stub shafts 81 carried by and journaled in brackets 4a secured to the underside of the float a.

Upwardly projecting members 82 are seand 11: The

cured to each side of the arms 80adjacent their middle points andare connected by a cable 83 passed over bearing rollers 83a carried by the float. 83 is connected to suitable elevating means, as before described, whereby the arms 80 may be raised and lowered to hold or discharge a log as the case may be.

A pair of sprockets 84 are mounted fast on the stub shafts 81 and are connected by chains 85, passed over one of the said sprockets 84 as may be desirable, to a driven shaft 85a carried on the float. Another sprocket 87 is mounted fast on the stub shaft 81 and a sprocket 87a is mounted' on a stub shaft 876 on the other end ing chain or way 88 is arranged over the said sprockets 87, 87a. A sprocket 89 is journaled on a shaft 89a in a recess provided in the arm 80 between the members 82 which meshes The other end of the cables of the arm 80. A log rolll with the chain 88 and is driven thereby. The

is its simplified structure inl that only one chain is carried by the arm 80, and the 'chain 90 provides a somewhat more flexible rolling abutment than the rollers 23, see Figs. 1 and 7, whereby a knot or protrusion on the log` on striking the chain 90, will merely press the chain inward, it being made more or less slack for this purpose, and thus will not displace the log from the cutter head and leave a section of bark uncut from the log.

I claim:

1. In a log debarking machine, in combination with bark removing means of the character described, a support, spaced inclined log carrying arms hinged on said support, means connected with said arms and adapted to adjust the latter at varying angles with the horizontal, a driven traveling way provided on said arms, respectively, rotatable abutments carried by said arms adjacent said traveling ways, whereby the ytravel of the way causes the log to revolve against -said rotatable abutments and thus facilitate the revolving of the log.

2. In a log debarking machine, in combination with bark removing means of the character described, a support, spaced inclined log carrying arms. hinged on said support, means connected with said arms and adapted to adjust the latter at varying angleswith the horizontal, a driven travelin,q way p rovided on said arms, respectively, idling rollers carried by said arms adjacent said traveling ways, whereby the travel of the way causes the log to revolve against said roller and thus facilitate the revolving of the-log.

3. A log debarking machine comprising a floating frame, log debarking means carried by the frame, log positioning and rotating means carried by the frame and designed to engage with a floating log and to partially support the log in order tosteady it with respect to the debarking means.

A log debarking machine comprising a floating frame, log debarking means carried by the frame, log positioning and rotating means carried by the frame and designed to engage with a floating log and to partially support the log in order to steady it with vancing the cutter along the length of the log.

1Q. In a log debarking machine, an arm liav1ng an abutment forming a trough with the extremity thereof, means for hinging the arm below the surface of a body of Water and means for lowering and raising the arm c for allowing a floating log to be floated into the trough and to be raised thereby.

- ARTHUR M. KIRKWOOD.

6. A lo debarking machine'comprising a cutter, su merged arms carried by the machine and designed to pass underneath a floating log, the log being moved transversely when fed onto the arms, means for `raising the armsfor partially supporting the log, and for bringing it into contact with'the cutter, and means for rotating the log and means for advancing the cutter along the length of the log. 7. A log debarking machine comprising a floating frame, a cutter swingably carried by the frame, submerged arms carried by the frame for receiving a float-ing log, the log .being moved transversely when floated onto the arms, means for raising the arms at an angle for positioning the log with respect to the cutter and for partially supporting the log, the cutter being held against the log by gravity.

8. A log ldebarkingmachine comprising a floating frame, a cutter swingably carried by the frame, submerged armscarried by the being moved transversely when floated onto the arms, means'for raising the arms at an angle for positioning the lo with respect to the cutter and for parta ly supporting the log, the cutter being held against the lo by gravity, means for rotating thelog, an

'frame for receiving a floating log, the log t means for advancing the. cutter along the length of the log. y 9. A log debarking machine comprisin a 6oframe, a cutter carrying carriage mova le thereover, a cutter swingably carried by the carriage, trough-shaped means carried by the frame and designed to pass beneath a floating lofg, the 10g being moved transversely when 05 ted onto said means, means for rais- 

